The present volume originates from “The Fourth Asian Translation Traditions Conference” held in Hong Kong in December 2010. The conference generated stimulating discussions relating to the richness diversity of non-Western discourses practices of translation, focusing on translational exchanges between non-Western languages, the change continuity in Asian translation traditions. Translation Global Asia shows a rich diversification of historical geographical interests, covers a broad array of topics, ranging from ninth-century Buddhist translation in Tibet to twenty-first-century political translation in Malaysia.
This collection is strikingly rich. Its authors deal with a wide range of topics in geographically diverse locations from India, Thailand, Japan, Korea, the Philippines to different parts of China. They evoke different linguistic historical contexts from ancient times right up to the contemporary period, take a variety of approaches, strongly supported by current theories in translation cultural studies. Presenting vital case studies, this essential volume illustrates the importance of examining translation from a historical perspective, of taking account of power relations, of studying the unique role of translators in initiating change transmitting new ideas.
—Judith Woodsworth
Concordia University, Canada